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karmathanever Platinum Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10406
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:07 am Post subject: Keytar - some advice please.. |
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Hi everyone
I am considering buying a "keytar" and going around in circles.
I am after any feedback advice please.
I have looked at Rolands AX1/AX7 (used), AX09 (Lucina) and am off to try the AX-synth and have also researched the Alesis Vortex.
I think all of these will do the job I need. I don't necessarily need one with on-board sounds.
I want to use this live in my blues band (to annoy the guitarist ) but just for a few numbers (I have a Kronos for the most part)
If any of you have/use one I would be most grateful for any feedback.
Thanks
Pete _________________ PA4X-76, Karma, WaveDrum GE, Fantom 8 EX
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Bald Eagle Platinum Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 2278 Location: Long Island, NY
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karmathanever Platinum Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10406
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Love it!!! Gotta have one....
_________________ PA4X-76, Karma, WaveDrum GE, Fantom 8 EX
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## Please stay safe ##
...and play lots of music
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SanderXpander Platinum Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Posts: 7860
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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I have an AX-Synth and would say it's not the most useful as a controller. It sends program changes over midi, and sends one when you turn it on. So if you have it off for most of the gig, then get your sound ready and turn it on, it will reset your module/synth to patch 001/000. Super dumb and annoying. While it is somewhat useful that you can send program changes, you can't actually assign them to buttons.
I ended up using mine with just the on-board sounds. There are some decent leads in there and you can fiddle with the editor. The engine is actually kind of ok, but very limited in the fx section and obviously a limited amount of samples. Compared to my Kronos, very much so.
D-Beam is useless for me, the bendy thing is quite good. All in all, it does take some getting used to, to play and have your keyboard wiggle around as you walk. |
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Synthoid Platinum Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 3300 Location: PA, USA
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Are you sure you want the "keytar image?"
_________________ M3, Triton Classic, Radias, Motif XS, Alesis Ion |
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karmathanever Platinum Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10406
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:28 am Post subject: |
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Oh Synthoid - that is SO me....... (NOT)
Actually tried the AX-synth yesterday (hard to actually find any here) and I must admit that I have probably wasted forum space here - definitely a no-go for me
BUT guys, thanks so much for your comments (and the humour!!)
Pete _________________ PA4X-76, Karma, WaveDrum GE, Fantom 8 EX
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## Please stay safe ##
...and play lots of music
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michelkeijzers Approved Merchant
Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 9113 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:11 am Post subject: |
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I once had that middle red 'synth' ... well actually it was more like a toy ... threwed it away a few months ago since it didn't work anymore.
Never used on stage (don't want to be seen with such thing). However, AX Synth and others are in another league. _________________
Developer of the free PCG file managing application for most Korg workstations: PCG Tools, see https://www.kronoshaven.com/pcgtools/ |
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phattbuzz Platinum Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 790 Location: NH USA
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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I have an Ax-Synth as well. I've used it on stage a few times as well as on a couple of videos. The keyboard has the usual synth feel to it with velocity sensing. It has some pretty good sax, cello, and synth sounds built into it. The other sounds are ok but I wouldn't want to use them all night long. If the keyboard had aftertouch, it would be much more useful. I find the D-Beam isn't that great a feature at all. I spent some time trying to figure out if you could calibrate it to work better, but you can't. It can take batteries so you have some freedom to walk around, but you still need to set up a wireless transmitter for full freedom. Even better would be a wireless midi transmitter. I do like the modulation bar/pitchbend ribbon on it. They did that right! If I were in the market for a keytar today, I think I would look at the Alesis Vortex. _________________ Latest Set Up: Kronos 61, Casio Privia, Korg TR61, EoWave Ribbon, Roli Rise 48, TEC Breath Controller, StudioLogic MP-117 Bass Pedals, Moog Theremini.
Past Instruments of Construction: Hammond A100 w/Leslie 760, Korg R3, Roland AxSynth, Korg Poly61, Korg M1, Univox MaxiKorg, Korg MS2000, (2) Moog Concertmate MG1, (2) Hammond X5, Rhodes Mark I & 2, Farfisa Compact, Yamaha S08, Casio SK1, Strymon Mobius, Custom Bass Pedals, Burns B3 Theremin. |
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mathieumaes Senior Member
Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 430
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Hi there,
For over a year now, my gig setup consists of nothing but my Kronos 88 and a Roland AX synth.
Most keytars look toy-ish, so for me the AX-synth was the only choice. And I love it!
Although the sounds aren't bad, I decided to use my Kronos as the only sound engine in my gig, so I'm using a wireless MIDI system:
- The CME WIDI-XU looks like a USB drive and works great on the Kronos. Plug 'n play!
- The CME WIDI-X8 is attached to the keytar. The MIDI connections on the AX are on a very inconvenient place, and it doesn't have a belt clip. I purchased a soft case for a photo camera (with a belt clip) and secured it on the shoulder strap. It needs getting used to, but it doesn't bother me anymore!
I've never had issues with latency or bad connection.
One of the issues I had was monitoring. As soon as I moved away from my Kronos and floor wedge, I couldn't hear much of my own sound. I now use a wireless in-ear system as well (AKG IVM-4).
So, in short: I love this rig and I highly recommend it. When picking up the keytar on stage and walk to the front of the stage, I feel like I'm no longer part of the stage decoration, but an actual member of the band!
(If you're a drummer, please don't feel offended, lol!) _________________ Old gig setup: Yamaha S90, Roland Fantom XR, Hammond XM-1, M-Audio Axiom 61
2011 gig setup: Korg Kronos 88 |
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Rosen Sound Approved Merchant
Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Posts: 1056 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:55 am Post subject: |
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I have a roland ax1 with the CME widi x8 duplex system (wanted to get the xU like the poster above, but it was actually more expensive with the currency exchange.
I recommend the AX-1 for a few reasons...
The AX-7 is noted to have issues with the pitch ribbon going bad. While a new ribbon isn't too expensive ($50 USD), this isnt the type of issue you want before a live show. I also am not a fan of the button layout. Look up some pictures.. I find the octave buttons much better accessible on the ax-1
You have already decided against the AX-Synth... I personally cannot get over the shape of it, and I personally don't like the control layout.
The Ax-1 is where they got it right in my opinion... The octave buttons are in an obvious and natural place, and it has patch up and down buttons where you'd want them... Now I note that I don't use the patch buttons as most would. Allow me to further explain.
On my kronos, I have all my keytar sounds on a combi, and arrange them by midi channel. I have the kronos not receive any program changes. The AX-1 will change it's own patch, however the next patch up is simply a different midi channel and will transmit on that channel to the kronos. Quite convenient.
Message me if you have any questions, since I have a keytar and a kronos. _________________
Current gear: Korg Kronos 61, Oberheim OB-8, Alesis Vortex
Past Gear: Triton Extreme w/moss & ram, Korg Radias, Kurzweil Micropiano, Triton classic, & Karma
Come visit my Burbank California repair shop/recording studio! Rosensound.com
And my band: Sirion.us.com |
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karmathanever Platinum Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10406
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:12 am Post subject: |
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Thanks - will definitely look at the AX1 if I can find one...
Cheers
Pete _________________ PA4X-76, Karma, WaveDrum GE, Fantom 8 EX
------------------------------------------------------------------
## Please stay safe ##
...and play lots of music
------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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TuomasEaston
Joined: 04 Apr 2014 Posts: 1
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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I have to agree with this thread for the most part.
Most of them look like cheap plastic toys, which is why I've always customized my own keyboards (painting, adding lights, recasing, etc). I recently built a wooden keytar with internals from an M-Audio 49es.
http://imgur.com/a/mHA8P#0
I have the AX7 and have definitely had problems with the pitch bar. I took it to a repair shop, where they replace the ribbon ($35ish + labor), and it still has a bit of a problem.. they told me it was an issue with the motherboard itself, and that's like $500 to replace.. SOO i may as well just get a new one.. which will certainly be the AX-1.
I also use the MIDI soloing for patch switching, it's much simpler when interfacing with a DAW for multiple VST sounds. _________________ Tuomas Easton
The Keytar Guy
www.tuomaseaston.com |
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iamtheswordmaster
Joined: 22 Sep 2012 Posts: 35
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 11:11 am Post subject: |
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What about the upcoming Korg RK 100S? Played it at the Musikmesse and fell in love instantly with this little beast... a GREAT performance tool!
http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/rk_100s/ _________________ Korg M50, Korg Kaoss Pad KP-3, MicroKorg Black Edition, iMac, MacBook Pro, LogicPro X, Phonic Helix Board 24 FireWire, M-Audio MobilePre, Samson C01 |
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six_feet_under
Joined: 05 Dec 2014 Posts: 35 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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Keytars would be sooooooo much better without wasting the player's left hand on a stupid simulated guitar neck. Let us be keys players and stop trying to simulate a guitar!
I got frustrated waiting for Manufacturers, and converted my own Kross1 into a keytar. This keytar has 5 octaves of full size keys, with multiple splits, battery powered, under 10lbs, and one of the coolest looking KROG's ever made. https://youtu.be/I7YHznSAEYY _________________ Los Angeles, California, USA ________ Kross-61, X50-61, Yamaha MX61, Roland AX-09 Lucina
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ |
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